St. Gregory of Nyssa Greek Orthodox Church
Publish Date: 2025-03-02
Bulletin Contents
Saints and Feasts
Hymns of the Day
Gospel and Epistle Readings
Wisdom of the Fathers
Calendar
Tithes and Offerings
Philoptochos News
Prayer List

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St. Gregory of Nyssa Greek Orthodox Church

General Information

  • Phone:
  • 619-593-0707
  • Street Address:

  • 1454 Jamacha Rd.

  • El Cajon, CA 92019-3752

Contact Information

Parish Priest Father Simeon B. Corona
Presbyter

[email protected] | 619-760-6373

Services Schedule

Saturday Vespers

5:00 PM

Sunday Liturgies

9:00AM Orthros

10:00AM Divine Liturgy

 

Parish Calendar:  http://saintgregoryofnyssa.org/parish-calendar

Follow Us on Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/StGregoryGOC

Past Bulletins


Saints and Feasts

March 02

Forgiveness Sunday

The Holy Fathers have appointed the commemoration of Adam's exile from the Paradise of delight here, on the eve of the holy Forty-day Fast, demonstrating to us not by simple words, but by actual deeds, how beneficial fasting is for man, and how harmful and destructive are insatiety and the transgressing of the divine commandments. For the first commandment that God gave to man was that of fasting, which the first-fashioned received but did not keep; and not only did they not become gods, as they had imagined, but they lost even that blessed life which they had, and they fell into corruption and death, and transmitted these and innumerable other evils to all of mankind. The God-bearing Fathers set these things before us today, that by bringing to mind what we have fallen from, and what we have suffered because of the insatiety and disobedience of the first-fashioned, we might be diligent to return again to that ancient bliss and glory by means of fasting and obedience to all the divine commands. Taking occasion from today's Gospel (Matt. 6:14-21) to begin the Fast unencumbered by enmity, we also ask forgiveness this day, first from God, then from one another and all creation.

March 02

Hesychius the Martyr

Holy martyr Hesychius lived during the reign of king Maximian in 302. He was the first and the leader in the royal palace and the Senate, because he was magistrianus by office. When Maximian ordered that all Christians who were royal soldiers ought to be deprived of their belts (which were a sign of their royal merit) and live as civilians and without honour, many Christians preferred to live without any outward honour due to this illegal order than to be honoured and lose their soul. St. Hesychius was numbered with these Christians as well. When the king heard this, he ordered that the saint ought to be stripped of the expensive clothes, which he used to wear, and be dressed with a shabby mantle without sleeves woven from hair and to be as disgraced and disdained as to consort with women.

When this had been carried out, the king invited him and asked him: "Aren't you ashamed, Hesychius, that you lost the honour and office of magistrianus and that you have been debased to this kind of life? Or maybe you don't know that the Christians, whose way of life you preferred, have no power to restore you to your previous great honour and office?" The saint replied: "Your honour, o king, is temporary but the honour and glory which Christ gives is eternal and without end." Because of these words the king got angry and ordered his men to tie a great millstone around the saint's neck and then to throw him in the middle of river Orontus, which lies in Coele Syria and which is commonly called Oronge. Thus, the blessed man received the crown of martyrdom from the Lord.

March 02

Our Holy Father Nicholas Planas

 

Saint Nicholas Planas was born in 1851 A.D. on the island of Naxos in Greece. He was married as a teenager and soon after ordained to the diaconate and then the priesthood. His wife reposed soon after and so he assumed the burden of being a widowed father and a parish priest. He was known for his zeal in serving the liturgy, especially his habit of serving the Divine Liturgy every day for 50 years. Many altar boys would see him radiating light or raised off the ground while serving the liturgy. Being so revered by his parishioners, he became known as “Papa,” which is an affectionate term for a parish priest. Papa Nicholas reposed in 1932 and was formally canonized as a saint in 1992.

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Hymns of the Day

Resurrectional Apolytikion in the Third Tone

Let the heavens rejoice; let the earth be glad, for the Lord has shown the mighty power of His arm. He trampled down death by death and became the firstborn of the dead. From the depths of Hades, He delivered us and granted to the world great mercy.

Seasonal Kontakion in the Sixth Tone

Teacher of wisdom, Bestower of virtue, who teachest the thoughtless and protectest the poor: Strengthen and enlighten my heart, O Master. Give me word, O Word of the Father, for behold my lips will not be restrained from crying to thee: Have mercy on me, the transgressor, O merciful Lord.
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Gospel and Epistle Readings

Epistle Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from St. Paul's Letter to the Romans 13:11-14; 14:1-4

Brethren, salvation is nearer to us now than when we first believed; the night is far gone, the day is at hand. Let us then cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light; let us conduct ourselves becomingly as in the day, not in reveling and drunkenness, not in debauchery and licentiousness, not in quarreling and jealousy. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

As for the man who is weak in faith, welcome him, but not for disputes over opinions. One believes he may eat anything, while the weak man eats only vegetables. Let not him who eats despise him who abstains, and let not him who abstains pass judgment on him who eats; for God has welcomed him. Who are you to pass judgment on the servant of another? It is before his own master that he stands or falls. And he will be upheld, for God is able to make him stand.

Gospel Reading

Forgiveness Sunday
The Reading is from Matthew 6:14-21

The Lord said, "If you forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father also will forgive you; but if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

"And when you fast, do not look dismal, like the hypocrites, for they disfigure their faces that their fasting may be seen by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."

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Wisdom of the Fathers

Spiritual delight is not enjoyment found in things that exists outside the soul.
St. Isaac of Syria
Unknown, 7th century

Do we forgive our neighbors their trespasses? God also forgives us in His mercy. Do we refuse to forgive? God, too, will refuse to forgive us. As we treat our neighbors, so also does God treat us. The forgiveness, then, of your sins or unforgiveness, and hence also your salvation or destruction, depend on you yourself, man. For without forgiveness of sins there is no salvation.
St. Tikhon of Zadonsk
Unknown, 18th century

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Calendar

  • Calendar

    March 2 to March 9, 2025

    Sunday, March 2

    Forgiveness (Cheesefare) Sunday

    9:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    11:30AM Forgiveness Vespers with right of Forgiveness

    12:30PM Macaronada Meal

    Monday, March 3

    Clean Monday

    11:30AM Lenten 3rd and 6th Hours

    1:00PM Prayers at Carroll's

    2:00PM Prayers at Orangewood

    3:00PM Lenten 9th Hour

    5:00PM Lenten Great Vespers

    6:30PM Great Compline with the Canon of St. Andrew

    Tuesday, March 4

    Clean Tuesday

    6:30PM Great Compline with the Canon of St. Andrew

    Wednesday, March 5

    Clean Wednesday

    6:00PM Lenten 9th Hour precedes 1st Presanctified Liturgy

    7:30PM Lenten Potluck

    7:30PM Lenten Potluck

    8:00PM JUST St. Andrew's Canon for

    Thursday, March 6

    Clean Thursday

    6:30PM Great Compline with the Canon of St. Andrew

    Friday, March 7

    Clean Friday

    10:00AM Presanctified Liturgy

    6:30PM 1st Compline with Salutations to our Lady

    Saturday, March 8

    St. Theodore Saturday

    9:00AM Miracle of the Wheat/St. Theodore Matins and Liturgy

    5:00PM Great Vespers

    6:00PM Confessions, Compline with Prayers of Preparation

    Sunday, March 9

    Sunday of Orthodoxy - bring an Icon to Church!

    9:00AM Morning Prayers (Orthros)

    10:00AM Divine Liturgy

    6:00PM Sunday of Orthodoxy Vespers AT Sts. Constantine and Helen

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Tithes and Offerings

 

February 2025 Budget: $22,500      
Monthly Offering to Date  $23,154
Remaining Need: $0
2025 Budget: $270,700
2025 Offerings: $49,158
2025 Remaining need: $221,542

 

 

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Philoptochos News

Philoptochos News:  We had our General Meeting this Saturday! It was a wonderful time. We had a delicious meal. discussed self-care, how we deal with midnight worries, and the things we were able to accomplish since our last meeting. We are so proud of our little chapter. 

Icon Flowers: Lent is around the corner and there are many Lenten and Holy Week icons that will need flowers. If you would like to either decorate or sponsor flowers for an upcoming feast day or in memory of a loved one, you can call Olga at (619) 980-9124 or email us at [email protected]. Thank you for beautifying our church and honoring our holy saints and feasts.

Coffee hour: This Sunday is our annual Macronada Lunch. Tickets are $10 if you have RSVPed, $12 if you haven't, kids eat free. Proceeds support the upcoming Lent and Pascha activities, and ongoing Philoptochos ministries. Next week Coffe Hour will be provided by the Nosals. Please sign up on the poster in the Hall if you are able to host one Sunday. The community we experience as we break bread together is an invaluable continuation of the work of the Divine Liturgy. 

 

 

 

 

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Prayer List

Living: Joanna Jacob,  Virginia, Fr. Josef Candelario, Derek, Hugito, Liam Michael Gardener (Ysadora’s new Grandson), Valerie, Augustine, Janet, Ben,Trevonia Jones-Blacknall,Ben, Katherine Cripe, Jesus and Giselle (Amanuel’s Parents), Lavar Maze, Daniela, Josephine, Gregory, Roberto Rojas, Bryan Jones, Juan Bowles, Suzette, Maria Cacho, Costa, Michelle, Gail, Irene, Jeanne Leventis, Larry Roach, Olympia, Jan Manos, Adrianne, Tom Crowell, Leilani, Frank, Pamela McVey (Gaye’s Sister), Kyriako, Dori, Elaine, Anastasia, Efstratia (Honey), Kristen, Lititia, Diana, TrixAnna, Ortans (Nellie’s Mom in Syria), Elias and Hanna Meamari (Issa’s Folks), Joanne Nichols, Michaila, Barbara Anderson (Fr. Michael’s Mom), Debby, Trevor, Ripley, Ljlijana, Deeann, Gino Volvo, Levi, Hannah, Dick, Kelly, Nicolas, Karen, Susan, Mandy, Melissa, Demetra, Gaye, Maria Olga, Vernon, Kathern and the Rogers Family, John Findel, Lisa Kotitsa, Christine Fanos, Iris, Elizabeth Terris, Magdalyn,  Michael Piliaris, Darin Williams, Cathy Jean Alexander, Our Monasteries and Monastics.


Asleep in the Lord: Maria Damala, Don and Sally Farr, Thomas Crowell, Eleftheria, Deiter (Fr. Josef’s Father), Susan (sister of Lisa Kotitsa), William (Bill) Diamond, Mary Mckinn, Maria, Merissa, Madeline (Olga’s Sister), Michelle (Olga’s Cousin), Fr. Panayiotis Leventis (1yr) and Presvytera Despina Leventis, Partheni, Sue Lubinski, Daniel Delgado Teneus Partheni Baptiste, Steve, Mario,Fr. George Larin, Randolph (Ysadora’s Uncle),Fr. Emanuel Lillios, James Pappas (Dr. Socrates Cousin), Khouria Dina and Eliana Maria Bahou, Mary Koulaxes, Christopher Pekos, Peter Karalambas, John Pertides, Calomira, James (Demetrius) Mastorakis, Evangelina,  Warren Cormier, Sally Farr, Margie (Mary) Brock, Soteria (Bunny) Angeles, (Haralambos) Polis, Athina, Mark Mellis,  Heidi, Presvytera Kay Eftathiu, Alexandra, Nicole, Kenn, Archdeacon Joe, Nicholay, Maria Elena, John Angeles, Emanuel, Irene Cantos, Joanne, James and Marika Deemas, Georgia (Sophie) Deemas, George Deemas, Antone (Tony) Broodrookas, Barbara and Patrick Easley, Arthur and Christine Gonos, John, Angelo, Tom Hyatt, Morgan, Bonnie, Salvador, William, Sarah Elizabeth, Penny (Laurie Paschalydis’ Sister), Janis Efstratia, Kosta Stephens

Please let Father know if you have any names that you would like to add to or that are ready to  remove from the list.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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